Qualifications

Personnel

Ambient is highly qualified to meet the EHS risk management demands of our diverse client base. Our experts have extensive professional experience in the varied areas of technical support that we offer. Experience summaries of our management team are provided below.

Joella Viscusi, President, has over 28 years of experience in the hazardous materials and environmental risk management industry. Joella actively manages projects involving diverse environmental issues. She manages a vast network of industry contacts providing clients with the most advantageous solution to their environmental concerns. Her expertise includes overall project management, client relations, cost estimating, providing AHERA and NYS DOL hazardous materials inspections and preparation of final reports in compliance with record keeping requirements per state, federal and local regulations, preparation and development of management plans, project design specifications and drawings and site specific variance development and applications for alternate abatement work procedures.

Joella has conducted a variety of asbestos, lead and hazardous materials projects throughout the Northeast for private, commercial, and governmental clients. She has developed and managed hazardous material building inspections and environmental monitoring strategies in accordance with state, federal and local regulations on a wide variety of projects. Joella is very well versed in the interpretation of NYS, AHERA, OSHA, NESHAP and ASHARA asbestos regulations, and is recognized as an industry leader in hazardous materials project design and site-specific variance preparation.

Certifications:

Certified NYS and EPA Asbestos Inspector (NY # AH 01-19282)

Certified NYS and EPA Asbestos Management Planner (NY # AH 01-19282)

Certified NYS and EPA Asbestos Project Designer (NY # AH 01-19282)

40 Hour Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response

James F. Blasting, Director of Environmental Health & Safety, is a Professional Geologist with Bachelors and Masters Degrees and over 25 years of professional experience in delivering sustainable, cost-effective solutions to meet the environmental management objectives of a diverse client base. He has strategized, designed and implemented projects involving large-scale, multinational mergers and acquisitions; complex redevelopment of environmentally distressed properties; environmental compliance programs involving federal, state and local regulatory requirements; site investigation and remediation, including negotiation with numerous regulatory agencies, related to a wide array of contaminants on behalf of single companies and large PRP groups; turnkey site redevelopment under various state Brownfield Cleanup programs; and expert support of litigation and cost allocation negotiations. His technical expertise includes hydrogeology, hazardous waste site investigation and remediation, contaminant fate and transport, risk-based corrective action, site restoration, innovative remedial technologies, engineering geology, mining and construction. Jim also has unique experience in environmental risk management and risk finance, including complete liability transfer solutions.

Certifications:

Professional Geologist, State of New York (No. 000059)

Professional Geologist, State of Pennsylvania, (No 1673)

Certified Professional Geologist (AIPG, No.7402)

Licensed Insurance Broker (PC-1300235)

CD Wolford, Operations Lead, has over ten years of experience in asbestos remediation projects and hazardous materials, bringing strong interpersonal and organizational skills to every project. This skillset enables him to work collaboratively with building owners and contractors leading to successful projects that are completed on schedule and within budgetary guidelines. CD’s background in construction is advantageous to understand challenges faced by contractors and ultimately helps facilitate seamless project solutions for clients. Mr. Wolford’s project experience includes air sampling, project monitoring and inspections for institutional clients, K-12 educational clients and heavy commercial/manufacturing facilities. CD is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corp.

Mark Meehan, Senior Designer, has been with the firm for twelve years. He has over 30 years of experience in the environmental industry and is routinely involved in building inspections, risk assessments, abatement or renovation design, project oversight and air quality monitoring. He coordinates and performs mold, indoor air quality and industrial hygiene investigations as well. Mark’s project experience includes a variety of environmental assignments for many educational institutions and government facilities.

Certifications:

EPA Lead Training Instructor

NYS DOH Approved Asbestos Training Instructor:

Certified Asbestos Inspector (NY # AH 89-02854)

Certified Asbestos Management Planner (NY # AH 89-02854)

Certified Asbestos Project Designer (NY # AH 89-02854)

Certified Asbestos Project Monitor (NY # AH 89-02854)

Certified Asbestos Air Sampling Technician (NY # AH 89-02854)

Lead Inspector

EPA Certified Lead Risk Assessor (NY-03-122003-221)

40 Hour Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response

Mark Dugas, CHMM, Senior EHS Consultant has over 20 years working in the environmental industry with a demonstrated ability to provide focused solutions and generate quality deliverables on time and within budget. He has a sound knowledge of environmental regulations and OSHA’s safety standards for construction and general industry, with a proven track record growing underdeveloped EHS programs into fully functional programs. Mark has reduced cost and liabilities for small and large corporations, higher education facilities, and regulated government operations. He has experience in program development for hazardous waste management, Lock Out/Tag Out, Confined Space Entry, Fall Protection, Hazard Communication and injury reduction transitional work programs. His operational and project management experience coupled with his technical knowledge and problem-solving skills make Mr. Dugas uniquely qualified to reduce risks and liabilities for any company or institution.

Mark has direct experience managing RCRA and hazardous waste management operations and activities and managing requirements for the hazardous waste generator and transporter. He has managed dozens of small and large site remediation and site restoration projects, is experienced in facility and equipment decontamination, and has overseen several facility closures and decommissions. He is a proficient hazmat trainer providing guidance for hazardous waste handlers, transporters and generators; and advising on SPCC plans, emergency response actions and Petroleum Bulk Storage systems.

Scott Harriman, Inspection Lead, is responsible for all hazardous materials inspections within the company. This includes project delivery from the definition of client needs through project execution, including: schedule and budget management, client communication, and coordination of technical team to completion of deliverables. Scott ensures all details of the scope of work and condition of the building are defined and resources are available prior to arriving on site. Scott conducts many of the hazardous materials inspections himself including destructive testing interior and exterior of the building to identify any potential for “hidden” hazardous materials allowing the project to be completed without contractor change orders.

Certifications:

Certified NYS and EPA Asbestos Inspector (NY # AH 11-21798)

40 Hour Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response

Confined Space Training

OSHA 30 Training

MSHA – Mine Safety and Health Administration

Kathy McCollum Holt, Training Director, has over 36 years of experience in the environmental industry. Her diversity ranges from remediation to corporate ownership. She has conducted AHERA asbestos inspections/management plans, inspections for renovations/demolitions, written variances and project specifications, provided regulatory advice as a consultant/project monitor, provided air monitoring and conducted the actual remediation of asbestos/hazardous materials. Her clients include K-12 educational institutions, public/commercial buildings and large industrial facilities. Kathy has instructed all the EPA asbestos-related courses for over 33 years.

NYS DOH Approved Instructor for the Following Courses:

Asbestos Project Designer

Asbestos Project Monitor

Asbestos Air Sampling Technician

Asbestos Building Inspector

Asbestos Management Planner

Asbestos Supervisor

Asbestos Worker

Asbestos Operations & Maintenance

Asbestos Allied Trad

Teilah Morrison, Laboratory Director, is a graduate of the University at Albany with a B.S. Degree in Biology and also retains an active NYS RN license. Teilah has over 9 years’ experience analyzing asbestos air and bulk samples and has been the Laboratory Director at Ambient for 3 years. She is also QA/QC document trained and experienced for laboratory purposes. Teilah coordinates all aspects of client relations keeping the laboratory operational around the clock if a client need arises.

About Us

Ambient Environmental Inc. is a New York State Certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise providing professional environmental consulting services. Established in 2006, today Ambient Environmental is a recognized consulting firm with over 28 employees headquartered in Albany, NY and resources throughout the Northeast United States.

Going the Extra Mile

“As professionals and individuals, we take pride in what we do and that shows in our work. Regardless of what we are doing, we give extra to each and every job…to go above and beyond the expected. As a result, our clients come back to us time and time again. And that is our greatest source of pride.”